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Obama To Limit Drone Strikes, Renew Effort To Close Guantanamo

Scott Neuman — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:02:00 +0000

President Obama on Thursday unveiled a major pivot in White House counterterrorism policy, calling for a limiting of CIA drones strikes and for a renewed effort to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Speaking at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., the president said the death of Osama bin Laden and most of his top lieutenants, and the fact that there have been no large-scale terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Hardly A Haven: Home Can Be Deadly In Natural Disasters

Nancy Shute — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:43:00 +0000

Home can be a refuge. But when natural disaster strikes, hunkering down at home can be a deadly mistake.

All told, 32 of the 53 New Yorkers who died in last fall's Superstorm Sandy drowned, and most of them died at home, according to a report published today in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

They lived in or near a zone of the city that was under a mandatory evacuation order.

In Oklahoma, Praying To A 'God Of Rebuilding'

Alan Greenblatt — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:22:00 +0000

All that's left standing at Kiaya Roper's house in Moore, Okla., is the bathroom. When a tornado struck the town on Monday, Roper was at work at Central Elementary School, her children were at school and her husband managed to ride out the storm by hunkering down in that bathroom.

"God put his hand down on his head for me," Roper says.

Twister-prone Oklahoma can be a challenging place to live.

Moore Finds Comfort In Animals Who Survived The Storm

Alan Greenblatt — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:20:00 +0000

There's no room at the inn for the Degmans. Not the Days Inn, anyway.

Jim and Marilyn Degman didn't suffer significant damage to their home in Monday's storm, but they lost power and decided to seek shelter elsewhere. They tried two other places before they found a La Quinta Inn & Suites that would admit Angel Baby, their toy poodle.

"I think she's a little more traumatized than we are, because of her routine," Jim says. "She can't go to her home."

For some people, pets are just animals, but for others, they can become like members of the family.

Seeing Double: Errors In Stem-Cell Cloning Paper Raise Doubts

Michaeleen Doucleff — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:09:00 +0000

This feels a bit like deja vu.

Scientists report a major breakthrough in human stem-cell research. And then just a week later, the findings come under fire.

Biologists at Oregon Health & Science University said May 15 that they had cloned human embryos from a person's skin cell.

Researchers have been trying to do this for more than a decade.

3-D Printer Makes Life-Saving Splint For Baby Boy's Airway

Bill Chappell — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:53:00 +0000

A 3-D printer is being credited with helping to save an Ohio baby's life, after doctors "printed" a tube to support a weak airway that caused him to stop breathing. The innovative procedure has allowed Kaiba Gionfriddo, of Youngstown, Ohio, to stay off a ventilator for more than a year.

The splint that changed Kaiba's life was implanted in February of 2012, when he was 3 months old.

Teen Pregnancies Continue To Decline, New Report Shows

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:47:00 +0000

New government figures add to evidence of a decline in teen pregnancies across the nation and point to a notably large drop in births among Hispanic teens, NPR's Jennifer Ludden tells our Newscast Desk.

She reports that the overall birth rate among teens is now half what it was at its peak, two decades ago, and that a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows:

-- An especially steep drop since the recent recession.

HBCU President Asks Dr. Dre, Why Not Us?

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:03:00 +0000

Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine recently donated $70 million to the University of Southern California. Many people are applauding their generosity, but some aren't so happy. Host Michel Martin speaks with Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University, about why he thinks an HBCU should have gotten the money.

Being Blind To Financial Need: Is It Worth It?

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:32:00 +0000

Millions of students rely on loans and grants for their studies. But with universities strapped for cash, fewer schools are able to admit students regardless of their financial need. Host Michel Martin asks the President of Iowa's Grinnell College, Dr. Raynard Kington, why his school considered putting a halt to need-blind admissions.

CBC Chair Marcia Fudge Wants Caucus To Be Heard On The Hill

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:32:00 +0000

Ohio Representative Marcia Fudge is still relatively new on the block. But she's established herself as the new head of the Congressional Black Congress. In the role, she's already been very vocal about whether the President is doing enough for people of color. Host Michel Martin talks with Congresswomen Fudge about her ideas for America.

Explore The Oklahoma Tornado Damage

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:18:00 +0000

Use this map of before-and-after aerial imagery to explore damage from the recent Oklahoma tornado — one of the most destructive storms ever recorded.

Amid Nails and Mud, Oklahoma Neighborhood Pulls Together

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:17:00 +0000

Brian Hock was standing Wednesday evening in what used to be his home but is now 2,000 square feet of nothing. Still resting in a bag of dog food was the cup he uses to scoop kibble, emblazoned with the slogan "Fear not: God's love shines bright."

Hock was at work Monday when the tornado smashed his house in the Heatherwood subdivision of Moore, Okla.

Production Of New Vehicles Predicted To Hit 2002 Levels

Bill Chappell — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:15:00 +0000

Strong new-vehicle sales figures are causing industry analysts to revise their forecasts for North American production levels in 2013, with J.D. Power & Associates and LMC Automotive predicting 16 million units will be produced — a mark not hit since 2002.

More than 1,157,000 new vehicles are projected to be sold in May, the third month in a row to top the 1 million level. The growth is being helped by strong demand for full-sized pickups, which represent more than 11 percent of retail sales, according to a news release from J.D.

Reports: Obama To Limit Drones, Urge Action On Guantanamo

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:58:00 +0000

Ahead of his much-anticipated speech Thursday afternoon at the National Defense University, there's word that President Obama:

Drones

-- Will announce he's going to "sharply curtail the instances when unmanned aircraft can be used to attack in places that are not overt war zones, countries like Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia," The New York Times says.

As Myanmar Reforms, Indonesia Offers Some Lessons

Anthony Kuhn — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:39:00 +0000

As Myanmar's leaders push a series of political and economic changes, they are also having to deal with recent strife between the majority Buddhists and minority Muslims, or Rohingya.

Many countries making the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy have faced similar ethnic and sectarian conflicts, from Iraq to the former Yugoslavia.

But for Myanmar, perhaps the most compelling case study is also the closest.

Fifteen years ago this week, a deepen

Jobless Claims Drop, But Stay In Recent Range

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:20:00 +0000

There were 340,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance last week, down 23,000 from the week before, the Employment and Training Administration reports.

The decline follows something of a spike. But in reality, the drop just means that claims continue to run at the pace they've been setting since late 2011.

'On Top Of The World' At 80: Japanese Climber Summits Everest

Bill Chappell — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:06:00 +0000

A Japanese mountaineer has become the oldest person to climb to the summit of Mount Everest, as Yuichiro Miura, 80, reached the 29,035-foot peak Thursday morning. The feat marks Miura's third time atop Mount Everest; he previously climbed the mountain at ages 70 and 75.

As in 2008, Miura's accomplishment is in danger of being surpassed by his main rival, Nepalese climber Min Bahadur Sherchan, 81.

Cleveland Hero Charles Ramsey Rewarded With Burgers For Life

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:01:00 +0000

Charles Ramsey, the neighbor who helped rescue three young women from a Cleveland home where authorities say they had been held captive and brutalized for about a decade, "will enjoy free burgers for life" in honor of his actions, The Plain Dealer reports.

Ramsey myocardial ischemia, a condition in which the heart gets less blood.

Triple Murder May Link Tsarnaev And Man Killed In Florida

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:49:00 +0000

Ibragim Todashev, the 27-year-old man shot and killed after he allegedly attacked an FBI agent Wednesday in Orlando, may have been involved with Boston bombings suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev in a 2011 triple murder.

As NPR's Dina Temple-Raston reported on All Things Considered, "it's still under investigation, but law enforcement authorities told us tha

'We Will Never Give In To Terror,' Britain's Cameron Vows

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:45:00 +0000

(Most recent update: 1:30 p.m.

Book News: Lydia Davis Wins Man Booker International Prize

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:39:00 +0000

The daily lowdown on books, publishing, and the occasional author behaving badly.

American author Lydia Davis was awarded the Man Booker International Prize, worth about $90,000, at a ceremony Wednesday in London. Davis is renowned for her works of (very) short fiction.

Octogenarian Rivals Race To Top Of Mount Everest

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:25:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. Five years ago, at the age of 75, a Japanese mountaineer raced a 76-year-old Nepalese climber to the top of Mount Everest. Japan's Yuichiro Miura lost. This morning, in an epic rematch, the now 80-year-old Miura won, becoming the oldest person ever to reach the summit. But that record may not last. Next week, his Nepalese rival, at 81, plans to make the ascent again. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

New Jersey Officials Wrap Up 'Operation Swill'

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:19:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Good morning, I'm David Greene with a story of mistaken identity - at the bar. New Jersey officials have wrapped up an operation called Operation Swill that target bars who are trying to pull a fast one. They'll charge for good booze but actually pour the cheap stuff in your glass. They've caught 29 bars red-faced; 13 of those TGI Fridays. The operation involved confidential informants, gizmos to test out liquor, and more than 100 agents. I would say this was some top shelf police work.

You're listening to MORNING EDITION.

Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials

Cheryl Corley — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:12:00 +0000

A day after school officials approved shutting down 50 schools, the Chicago Teachers Union and community activists say they'll hold a voter registration and education campaign. The union is agitated that Mayor Rahm Emanuel, school board members and some lawmakers failed to listen to parents, teachers and others who called for the schools to remain open.

Before they voted yes on the sweeping school closure plan, school board members faced a torrent of criticism Wednesday.

Funerals Begin In Tornado-Ravaged Moore, Okla.

Mark Memmott — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:41:00 +0000

Funerals began Thursday for the 24 people known to have been killed by the tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday.

Nine-year-old Antonia Candelaria, one of the 7 children killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School, was being remembered at a local church.

Director Lin Shifts The Identity Of 'Fast & Furious'

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:51:00 +0000

The movie Fast & Furious 6 hits theaters tomorrow. It is director Justin Lin's fourth film in the franchise, and is far different from his very first film, Shopping for Fangs, which starred a young John Cho and became a cult classic among Asian-American indie film fans.

Or is it so different?

The action-packed, billion-dollar movie franchise follows a crew of daredevil street racers who go from being criminals to being heroes.

Obama Speech Expected To Touch On Drones, Guantanamo

Dina Temple-Raston — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:44:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And I'm David Greene.

For months now, the Obama administration has promised to reveal more about America's secret drone program, and today could be the day. The president will speak this afternoon at the National Defense University, and he's planning to discuss America's fight against terrorism.

IRS Official's Silence Riles House Committee Members

Peter Overby — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:38:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The IRS has admitted to targeting conservative groups seeking tax exempt status. And yesterday at a House hearing the IRS director of exempt organizations said, quote: "I have not done anything wrong." She then declined to testify.

Obama Group's Climate Push Puts President Under Scrutiny

Ari Shapiro — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:06:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biUc0D6_UPA